Archaeological
discoveries prove that the vicinity of Levoča was steadily inhabited already
from younger Ice Age. In documents that remained till today the first mention
of Levoča is made in 1249. In 1271 it became the capital of The Community of
Spiš Germans. Advantageous position helped the town in an uncommon boom. To
this boom contributed also different rights and privileges. The most important
of all was Storage Right which the town got in 1321.

In the 14th century Levoča became free royal town and belonged to prominent
Slovak towns. At the end of the 14th and at the beginning of the 15th century
the town reached its economic and social top. In spite of partial decline Levoča
once again got among prominent towns of Upper Hungary in the second half of
16th century. Disintegration of the feudalism hit the town unfavourably. Importance
of the granted privileges decreased and the direction of business routes changed
as well. Only printing houses kept their original status in that time. After
build-up of the Košice - Bohumín railroad importance of the town decreased even
more. Until 1923 Levoča was the seat of Spiš County and till 1949 the seat of
the County Court.
In 1950 historic centre of the town was pronounced Town Monumentally Reserve.

The Church of St. Jacob is a national cultural monument and the largest
Gothic church in Spiš. The build-up started probably in the first half of the
14th Century and except for small premises the whole building was ended in 1400.
There are 11 Gothic and renaissance altars in the interior. The most admired
is the main altar. It is the highest Gothic altar in the whole world. It is
18,62 metres tall. It was constructed by the workshop of Master Paul from Levoča
about 1507-1517. From the other altars are worth mentioning: John's Altar from
1520. St. Peter and Paul's Altar comes from about 1500, St. Anne's Altar was
constructed before 1516, St. Nicolaus' Altar is from 1507 and a bit newer is
St. Michael the Archangel's Altar. Panel painting on the St. Katherine's Altar
belongs to our oldest ones. There is a precious and also very tall Snow Virgin
Mary's Altar from 1496 in the north aisle. Valuable is also the south aisle
where and Altar of Painful Man is situated. It was constructed about 1480. Precious
pieces are particularly murals. The oldest comes from the 14th Century and is
situated behind the Korvín's Altar. Presbytery is richly decorated with paintings
from the 15th and 16th Century. There is a big Prophet and Apostle's series
there.
The church is also uncommonly abundant in handicraft products. The big renaissance
pulpit comes from 1626. Pews are from the 15th and 16th Century. Organ belonged
to the largest ones in the whole Hungary for a long time.
The Town Hall was originally built up in Gothic style. Conflagrations in 1550,
1561 and 1599 destroyed it entirely. Build-up of a new town hall ended in 1615.
Last big modifications were made in 1893-95. There were finished attics in Italian
Renaissance style on the roof.

Bell Tower is built in the same style as the town hall. It was built
up in 1656-1661. Bell tower got its present exterior after a couple of reconstructions.The cage of shame is a remarkable metal building with a solid base. It
comes from about 1500 and served for pillorying women.Lutheran Church was built in 1825-1837 in the shape of a Greek Cross.
Altar picture was painted by a painter from Levoča whose name was Jozef Czauczik.Town School and Armory were originally two separate buildings. In the
southern one there used to be a town school and the north one served for business
purposes.
Thurza's House is situated in the east side of the square and it differs from
the other houses with its Renaissance attic. It has abundant graffiti which
come from 1903-1904.Master Paul's House is a building in the east part of the square. It
is a house where this famous wood craftsman lived and produced.Townsmen's houses in the west side of the square are: Hain's House with
Renaissance portal from 1530, Mariássy's House has a beautiful stone portal
from 1683. Next to them stands Krupek's House which has a nice decorated facade
with paintings from the second half of the 16th Century. Spillenberg's House
belonged to famous pharmaceutical family. Very remarkable on it is hand forged
entrance gate.Big County House was built up in Classicism style in 1806-1826.
On the facade of the Small County House stands out a graffito with a
Spiš' county coat of arms.Castle Fortifications gather around the entire historic centre of the
town. Its length is almost 2,5 km. It consists of two parts. A free space called
Zvinger is situated between them. The beginnings of the fortifications go back
into the 13th Century. Gates, bastions and towers were parts of fortifications
as well.

Northerly from Levoča there is a valley of Levoča with water reservoir and
recreational facility. There are four ski tows in the peculiar mountain village
Závada. In the locality of Krúžok you can find tracks for ski running which
are kept and in good condition. Complex Uhlisko with lindens is good for hiking.
The marked path goes from Levoča to Marian hill which was also visited by Pope
John Paulus II. in 1995.